The community should be elated the city of Salem is nearing the end of its public outreach to update the master plan for Salem's Riverfront Park.

A recently released rendering of projects envisioned for the next decade is ambitious. If all the proposals become realities, the park's game would be upped considerably.

Residents should cheer efforts to improve and maintain the city's crown jewel of green spaces.

But they also should be wary of over-developing Salem's premier outdoor space, completed in 2001.

The rendering takes into consideration suggestions made by the community at two previous public meetings and from more than 1,600 online survey responses.

The plan will likely be adjusted in coming weeks because there is another public meeting next week. But as of now, it includes another bridge, new restrooms in two locations, a floating riverwalk, expanded parking, picnic pavilions, a carousel addition, an expanded dock, kayak rental space, a maintenance building and yard, and a bike-share facility. Space for seasonal rentals such as an ice rink also is included, as is the location of the future expanded amphitheater.

The city will seek funding for many of the projects through grants and other sources. .

Some of the folks who first envisioned this park on 26 acres of industrial blight are pleased to see the city isn't resting on its laurels. They also hope the city will be cautious as it refines the park that was decades in the making.

Mike Swaim, who served as mayor from 1997 to 2002, and worked with others to see the park to fruition, said he's always considered it a "tremendous amenity" in the city.

Swaim views it as a place for people of all means to enjoy, and he wants to ensure the park doesn't lose its charm by having all of its available space developed.

"I used to lean on the carousel folks to give me free tickets so I could, in turn, give them out to kids and families who would stand and watch it go around, but who couldn't afford to buy a ticket," Swaim said. "To see their eyes light up, and go wide like saucers when they'd get a free ticket, made the effort worth it. I don't want the park to become commercialized."

Salem's Riverfront Park is an amazing community asset, and improving it is to be heralded.

But let's not forget the efforts of former residents such as the late Lorraine and Jim Pullman. In addition to helping make the Union Street Railroad Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge areality, they worked tirelessly to ensure that the city's charter would prevent a hotel on Riverfront Park land.

The temptation to develop is understandable. Cities such as Bend, Denver and Chicago have taken their city parks to dizzying heights.

Salem should, too. But let's not forget it is first and foremost a park.

To participate:

A third and final public meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Pringle Community Hall, 606 Church St. SE. Comments are encouraged, and will still be considered.

The Master Plan will be presented in October to the Salem Park and Recreation Advisory Board, and then to the Salem City Council for review in November.

Carol McAlice Currie is opinions editor for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at ccurrie@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6746.